I write this knowing full well the emotions the topic engenders. I am prepared for that. My intent, however, is to generate honest, thoughtful dialogue. Perhaps I am foolish in that hope.

A quotation.

So it is said that if you know your enemies and know yourself, you can win a hundred battles without a single loss.If you only know yourself, but not your opponent, you may win or may lose.If you know neither yourself nor your enemy, you will always endanger yourself.

— Sun Tzu

Intro.

There seems to be two polar positions regarding US foreign policy and terrorism. At one extreme is the belief that Islamic terrorists attack the US solely because of US involvement overseas, particularly the Middle East. The other extreme is that the US can act overseas without regard to consequences because there are none. Neither is correct.

I agree with the notion that the United States is far too involved with far too many foreign countries. Our military is spread too thin across the globe. Forget nation-building policies, bringing democracy to authoritarian countries our protecting our allies in Europe. If nothing else, it is a matter of economics. We simply can not afford it.

Close our military bases in foreign countries. If not all, then most. If not most, then half. If not half, then some. But start closing them.

The “pure blowback” position.

Some of the anti-war libertarians, and others, have this notion that Muslim terrorism is entirely a creation of U.S. policy overseas. They believe if we leave them alone, terrorism will stop. This is nonsense.

Elements within the Islamic culture believe in domination. This element believes the infidels must either be converted or killed. Pretending this is not so is foolish. This element exists regardless of U.S. foreign policy, and we must be vigilant against it.

The “love it or leave it” position.

It does not follow, however, that U.S. foreign policy is not relevant to this fight. Of course it is. The U.S. has propped up dictators like Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak, just to name one. We have given our enemies, at the least, pretext upon which to foment hate against us. It is just as foolish to believe our involvement in the Middle East is irrelevant to the Islamo-fascist terrorists as it is to think it is the sole cause.

Leaving aside the merits of our involvement in the Middle East, our involvement is used by our enemies to recruit suicide bombers and generate sympathy for their fascist cause. One may (and should) ultimately conclude, for example, that killing Osama bin Laden was absolutely the correct action, even if failing to inform the Pakistani government cost us good will in that country.

To ignore that our action made some people angry and will be used to recruit further terrorists is as foolish as the “pure blowback” position. To understand the consequences, to weigh them, and then decide the appropriate action is the prudent course.

Conclusion.

One may ultimately decide it is a good idea to poke a hornets’ nest, but to make that decision without considering the hornets will be displeased is absurd. Likewise, to assume the hornets will never sting you or expand their hive just because you ignore them and leave them be is just as foolish.

Dear Supporter, In order for America to emerge from our economic doldrums, we need businesses and entrepreneurs to make efficient and effective allocations of capital. We need smart and industrious individuals to drive job creation, and we need government to get out of the way. Unfortunately, President Obama’s National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has another vision for America. They want to keep bureaucrats between job creators and new investments.

Join Americans for Prosperity Colorado and fellow activists on Monday, September 12, at noon in front of the office of U.S. Representative Ed Perlmutter and let him know that he should vote for H.R. 2587 and stop politicizing jobs in America. When: Monday, September 12, 2011 at Noon Where: In front of Ed Perlmutter’s District Office 12600 West Colfax Avenue, Suite B-400, Lakewood Why: To Urge Rep. Perlmutter to vote for H.R. 2587 and save American jobs!

Click here to RSVP! One example of this intervention is what the NLRB is trying to do to Boeing. We all know the story by now. Boeing’s new Dreamliner airplane is a great success story. So many airlines want to buy them that the company is expanding its production facilities. In addition to adding jobs at its unionized plant in Washington State, Boeing decided to build a new facility in South Carolina, a Right to Work state with lower labor costs and friendlier business climate. Shockingly, the NLRB ruled this was an “unfair labor practice” and ordered Boeing to abandon the new facility in South Carolina. Government should never be empowered to make these kinds of decisions. Thankfully, there is a bill (H.R. 2587) in Congress to stop the NLRB from telling businesses where they can locate. It’s sad that we need a bill to protect such a basic freedom, but we do. Click here to take action and urge your representative to protect American jobs.

NEW VENUE FOR THE NEXT TWO MEETUPS – MODIFIED HOURS- SAME GREAT PROGRAM! Sheraton Denver West Hotel Red Rocks Grille Lounge (bar/restaurant adjacent to the lobby) 360 Union Blvd. Lakewood, Co., 80228 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Grillin’ and Chillin’ with Eric Sondermann – “A Perspective on These Polarized Times and What Lies Ahead in the 2012 Election Year” We’re trying out the Red [...] [...]

[ September 15, 2011; 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm. ] Thursday, September 15 · 5:30pm – 9:00pm at Mafiaoza’s Summer’s over but the conversations will still be going full speed! Join your regular friends and welcome our college students back. Plus we’ll be doing a little conversation starter for extra fun! Charlie, some of you know as a regular for the last year, shared this paper on the [...] [...]

It’s been a month since the last meeting. It will be good to see everyone. As always plenty to talk about at all levels of government and in the community. All regulars are encouraged to attend, along with old friends and newbies are always welcome. See you all there for lunch! Cheers for Liberty! Event [...] [...]

Please join us as we celebrate Liberty and fellowship with other liberty lovers on September 13th, 5:30pm to 7:30pm at The Dublin House (1850 Dominion Way, Colorado Springs) enjoying Tavern Style Politics and Activism in the Tradition of our [...] [...]